Eviction Leads to Startling Discovery at Former Funeral Home Owner’s Colorado Residence

In a shocking turn of events, the eviction of a former funeral home owner in the Denver suburb of Littleton led to the discovery of a woman’s corpse and the cremated remains of at least 30 people. This grim find highlights the ongoing concerns regarding the oversight of Colorado’s funeral industry. It raises questions about the practices of those entrusted with the care of loved ones after death.

The Discovery

On February 6, during a court-ordered eviction, authorities made a chilling discovery at the residence rented by Miles Harford, the 33-year-old former owner of Apollo Funeral and Cremation Services. Closed in September 2022 due to financial difficulties, the property harbored a deceased woman’s body in a hearse for two years, alongside the cremated remains of over 30 individuals. Denver Police Cmdr. Matt Clark detailed the scene, noting the presence of temporary urns in the house’s crawl space, with some empty and others in a moving truck outside.

The investigation revealed that Harford’s financial woes led to an inability to complete cremations or to provide genuine remains to grieving families. In some instances, families received ashes that were not their loved ones. Harford’s struggles culminated in this harrowing discovery, prompting an immediate response from law enforcement and an arrest warrant for charges including abuse of a corpse and forgery.

The Fallout

The revelation has caused distress among families who had trusted Harford with their loved ones’ final rites. Crystallyn Nunez shared her prolonged battle to retrieve her relatives’ ashes, recounting Harford’s excuses and inconsistencies. This discovery has only intensified the doubts and pain of families like Nunez’s, leading them to question the authenticity of the remains they were given.

This incident is the latest in a series of unsettling cases involving funeral home operators in Colorado, spotlighting the state’s minimal regulatory framework for the funeral industry. With no routine inspections or qualifications required for operators, the state has seen multiple instances of mishandling, fraud, and abuse, prompting calls for stricter oversight and consumer protection.

The Investigation and Legal Proceedings

Following the discovery, Denver District Attorney Beth McCann announced the expected charges against Harford, including abuse of a corpse and theft. The ongoing investigation seeks to clarify the scope of Harford’s actions and ensure accountability. Meanwhile, Harford’s cooperation with investigators suggests an impending resolution to this disturbing case.

As law enforcement works to facilitate Harford’s arrest and process the recovered remains, the focus remains on providing clarity and closure to affected families. Efforts to identify the cremains and notify next of kin are underway, with officials and community members grappling with this case’s emotional and legal ramifications.

The disturbing findings at the evicted property of a former funeral home owner in Littleton have cast a shadow over the community and prompted a reevaluation of regulatory practices in Colorado’s funeral industry. The legal proceedings against Harford and the broader implications for industry oversight remain critical focal points in the aftermath of this tragic discovery.